From the Circle City Soun d Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the  THE BEAT  

Volume 40, Issue 8 August 2009

Circle City Sound’s mission is to perform with excellence in the barbershop style and encourage singing within the community, because singing enhances life. What a Convention! by Jerry Troxel, editor of The Beat

The 2009 International The quartet contest saw many past champs in different Barbershop Harmony Society quartet configurations, including our own Garry convention is now history, Texeira in 17th-place finisher TKO. The quartet finals and what an historic event it had a record- turned out to be! breaking three past College Quartet The setting in Anaheim was ideal, with great weather Champion quartets in every day – sunshine, upper 70s – and the convention the running for the hotels within walking distance to Disneyland and plenty gold: Ringmasters of great restaurants like P.F. Chang’s, Cheesecake (2008), Musical Factory, and McCormick and Schmick’s. The host Island Boys (2006), chapter, the , did a great job of and Men In Black keeping everything running smoothly throughout the (2005). The winner week. The Honda Center was the setting for the contest of the contest was sessions and most of the special shows. It’s an Crossroads (also from the St. Charles chapter), interesting venue – a hockey arena with chandeliers! featuring tenor Fred Farrell (), lead Mike Slamka (), bass Jim Henry (Gas Inside that arena, barbershop history was made. House Gang), and baritone Brandon Guyton (Four Everyone is still talking about the chorus contest. Voices). Perennial winner, the , achieved scores that would have won any other contest in history, and The Collegiate Quartet contest featured 26 top-notch appeared assured of yet another victory. Then the quartets in a contest that gets better every year. For , from St. Charles, , the first time, this contest was included with the under the direction of Jim Henry, came out and blew registration and did not require an extra ticket. The them away by breaking the record the VM had just set – Vagrants were crowned the 2009 champions, and a whopping 97.5% - with their smooth, heartfelt ballad Cardinal District representative came in and their top-notch performance of ‖Seventy-Six eighth. Other notable events during the week included Trombones.‖ the ever-popular Mega-Sing, the World Harmony Jamboree Dinner Show, the AIC Show and Harmony Foundation Presents. The latter featured three of the best barbershop choruses around—Vocal Majority, Masters of Harmony and Ambassadors of Harmony—in concert, concluding with a combined presentation of ―Stars and Stripes‖ that is a never-to-be-forgotten moment in convention history.

All in all, it was a great convention—you should have been there. See you next year, in Philly! Ambassadors of Harmony Page 2 THE BEAT August 2009

THE BEAT Membership Statistics Jerry E. Troxel, Editor 129 Yorkshire Blvd. E Chapter members as of July 1, 2009: 92 Indianapolis, IN 46229 317 891-1634 Average member age: 58.6 [email protected] Average years of service: 18.2

Number of active members: 59 (64%)

The BEAT is published monthly by the Greater Indianapolis, Indiana, Chapter of the More Ways You Can Take Part Barbershop Harmony Society, in Your Chapter a proud member of the Cardinal District Association a periodic feature of The BEAT of Barbershop Chapters from “100 Ways You Can Take Part in Your Chapter” collected from the Harmonet by Kim Benner

Take care of your chorus out- Without fail, use the director's

fits and accessories; be sure signal for the pitch as your cue they are always cleaned and to mentally and physically pre- pressed according to direc- pare to sing. Chapter Leadership 2009 tions, so that you and your chorus look your best and Mark music manuscript President your clothing lasts a long time. changes/presentation notes in Jerry Troxel pencil on your own music;

VP Chapter Development Put a picture of your chorus these things are generally not Steve Cline up in your office, and talk to cast in stone. anyone who asks about it. VP Music & Performance Show the person up front that Duane Henry Save those ―important ques- you're paying attention by

VP PR & Marketing tions‖ of the director/section your face and body language. Randy Freeman leader/your neighbor, until the break or after rehearsal. Secretary Tom Bradley

Treasurer Jim Sauder

Board Members at Large Barberpole Cat Learning Program Jeff Boyd David Fouts Our Barberpole Cat for the month of August is Brad McAlexander “Down by the Old Mill Stream” Immediate Past President Jim Rosenau

Director Garry Texeira Secure the future of barbershop harmony through your generous gifts to the Founder’s Club, President’s Assistant Director Council, Ambassadors of Song, and Tribute Gifts. Andrew Myer www.harmonyfoundation.org

August 2009 THE BEAT Page 3

A Stroll Down Memory Lane Calendar by Lew Gillespie, editor of Inside the Pride, 1991-1995 of Events Five Years Ago Ten Years Ago CCS Retreat/Coaching The ―Blast on the Bay‖ was held at Three chapter Christ Lutheran Church the home of Gene Newcombe on members—Jim August 7 - 8 the north side of Indy. About 60 Beehler, Jim Feast of Lanterns people attended the party with Pyle, and Ed Spades Park some people catching fish from the Vargo—had the August 29, 5:00 pm docks. After dinner, which featured pleasure of par- brats, a neighbor of Gene’s gonged ticipating in the Lew Gillespie Thank You Concert a dinner bell calling all pontooners first Interna- Chapter Historian for Christ Lutheran Church to the concert water hall at dock tional Barber- September 13, 3:00 pm 55. There were 17 pontoons with shop Festival in Russia, July 16-31, about 55 people in the audience. 1999. The ten day festival took Cardinal District Fall After the concert, tag singing took place in St. Petersburg. A group of Convention and Contests place and the fellowship was great. 180 singers included one full bar- Columbus, Indiana The Newcombes always throw a bershop chorus, The Singing October 2-4 great party. Buckeyes from Columbus, Ohio, Circle City Sounds along with The American of the Season Circle City Sound Chorus was Chordsmen, a group of barber- Ransburg Auditorium busy with two performances on shoppers from all over the United University of Indianapolis July 4 and July 5, 2004. The first States, and the three Indy mem- November 29, 3:00 pm was held at the Indiana Historical bers who did not belong to either Society located outside on the ca- group. All of the men combined to Performance for Indiana nal, and 41 men agreed, ―it was sing three songs directed by Dr. Chapter of National hotter than hell.‖ This performance Greg Lyne from Kenosha, Wiscon- Electrical Contractors was important in that it allowed the sin. quartet also traveled Sheraton Hotel and Suites chapter to trade our services for with the group. December 5, 8:30 pm the use of the Historical Society for the annual Officer Installation and Dave Coleman, bass, shared his Artsgarden Holiday Show BOTY Banquet. experiences from Harmony College Circle Centre Mall as he and his quartet, Still At December 6, 3:30 pm

The next day, the chorus appeared Large, (with baritone Duane in Carmel, Indiana, for Carmelfest. Henry, tenor Tom Davis and lead Forty-six men participated in this Mark Shapiro) had a great week. performance, and tux coats were This quartet had coaching from Bill For detailed information on all chapter performances check not an option for attire because of Myers (bass in ), Bobby our weekly bulletin, the heat. The special guest for this Gray, Jr. (baritone in The New event was Sarah Wiley, Miss Tradition), and Mel Knight. ―Our SOUND BYTES Indiana. Chapter member Gene quartet received what seemed like or go to: Newcombe was chosen to dance a million ideas on what we could do www.circlecitysound.org with this lovely lady while the cho- to improve, but they (coaches) and visit the rus sang ―It Had To Be You.‖ really hammered being expressive, Members Only section Someone said that it was not a selling the song, using dynamics, matter of Gene being chosen; he and singing with emotion.‖ Har- just pushed 45 other guys out of mony College was a wonderful The newsletter deadline for the the way! (Article taken from The week that the quartet would rec- September issue of The Beat is August 27. Send articles to: Beat, Vol. 38, Issue 8, August, ommend to any chapter member. [email protected] 2004, R. Duane Henry, editor) (Article borrowed from Inside The Pride, Vol. 30, Issue 8, August, 1999, Brad McAlexander, editor).

Page 4 THE BEAT August 2009 Harmony Explosion Camp by Patrick McAlexander

The story really started for me five end of the night and the following a l r e a d y years ago. I came to Harmony morning, some of us were already signed up Explosion Camp as a 10-year-old losing our voices a bit (three hours f o r t he who had been singing with CCS for of tags will do that to you). show, and three years. And the experience since I knew was disappointing. The music was We kept singing, with long hours of the melody fun to sing, absolutely, but I felt rehearsing all day Thursday, and and knew like a fish out of water, considering the sound that these young people pretty much that I was at least three years with limited amount of barbershop all of the younger than everyone else and experience made was pretty words, I had more barbershop experience incredible. Both the guys and girls obliged. So when this combination than pretty much everyone there. had three songs each to sing by went on stage, I sang better than I This experience made me a bit had the first time out, but we had skeptical about attending again, some issues with finding the right and I did not attend for a few notes, so we ended the song on an years. Last year, my dad’s 2007 open fifth. Needless to say, neither Cardinal District Champion Quartet, of my quartets would end up being The Edge, was the teaching themselves, and then there were picked to perform on the final show quartet, so I went to the show and two combined numbers. But that the following night. A guys’ quartet was relatively impressed by the wasn’t all that was going on and a girls’ quartet both got the music. I still felt reluctant to make Thursday. News came out that opportunity to do such, and they myself a part of it. Not long before there would be a talent show that were both very good. Neither of this year’s camp took place, my dad evening, open to any sort of act them were impromptu quartets, convinced me to go. interested in participating. I, of which probably helped their odds. course, decided to put together a I went in, hoping that I would be quartet. The challenge was finding My personal experience did open able to fit in a bit better this time three guys of different parts who all my eyes to two things: the than I did five years ago. I walked knew a song that the chorus wasn’t possibility of putting together a into the rehearsal room for the first already singing. college quartet and the possibility time to find that I knew quite a few of singing different parts if of the participants, like some of the I managed to find three guys who necessary. members of the Central Indiana all knew the song ―Mam’selle.‖ Youth Barbershop Chorus and other They were a bass, a baritone, and a Friday was pretty much all young barbershoppers from other tenor, which left me with a bit of a business, and we worked on areas in the district. I also was challenge. I was going to attempt memorizing and perfecting our very familiar with the teaching lead on this song. Luckily, I knew repertoire. Everything was coming quartet, 2003 Cardinal District the part since I have listened to the together really well, and a lot of us champs Keep „Em Guessin‟. Our CD with that song were really getting into the music. clinician was Dr. Ben Ayling, the many times. So, after having run We were the first act of the final bass of the 1991 International through the song only once that show, and I think that we made a Champions, The Ritz. day, we went out there in front of great showing. Also appearing on our peers and sang it. It did not go the show were Instant Classic, We rehearsed for a couple hours particularly well, primarily on the 2009 International eighth-place and headed back to the dorm, account of our tired voices. It was collegiate quartet; Keep „Em where we all had about three hours still a fun experience, though. Guessin‟; Change of Heart, the to ourselves. As you can imagine, I 1999 Harmony Incorporated quickly migrated to the end of the About 15 minutes later, I got a tap International champions and female room where the tags were being on my shoulder from Steven teaching quartet; and special guest, sung. We probably had 6-8 Harris, one of the CIYBC members , the 1996 International hardcore tag singers, and perhaps who has visited our chorus a few champions who were performing the highlight of the night was when times, asking if I knew lead to the for the first time in three years. Dr. Ben taught us the classic The song, ―Sittin’ On Top of the World.‖ That was quite a treat. I got the (Continued on page 5) Ritz tag to ―Sweet Adeline.‖ By the He had a leadless quartet who was August 2009 THE BEAT Page 5 Thank You, Ladies!

As most of you know I got married last year. Some of you were there at the Artsgarden when I proposed. I had been reluctant to ask Valerie to Randy Freeman marry me because I know how much of a VP PR & MARKETING commitment marriage is. I wanted to make sure that I would be able to make good on that commitment before I asked her. I suspected that “The women helped to make this year’s she might accept my proposal. Since the day we show a success.” were married, I have come to learn the depth of my true feelings for her and also have recognized the fact that I need her. It’s a mutual thing; we need we do not have in our account just yet to be able to each other. We work well together, and we make the trip to Philly. The women have some creative complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. ways to be able to help make that happen.

It is my personal belief that a man needs a woman and When we are informed about the things that the ladies vice versa. After our show in June, I was able to have planned, I hope that the response of each man in express my appreciation to the ladies auxiliary for their the chapter is appropriate. We should get behind the support and all the work that they did behind the decisions that they make as wholeheartedly as they scenes. I hope that every man in the chorus was able support us. After all, we need them. to do the same thing. The women helped to make this year’s show a success. I’d like to acknowledge the willingness of Becky Cline to help by accepting a leadership position and working I intend on communicating with the ladies on a regular to organize the ladies group. Thank you, Becky! basis, to make sure that they are aware of my appreciation for what they do for us. I suggest that you I love singing in this chorus. I’m proud to be a part of all do the same thing. I’m finding out that they are Circle City Sound. I’m proud of the fact that we have taking their role very seriously. They have some great the support of the most important people in our lives. ideas that will be a wonderful support to us as the Thank you, ladies, for all that you are doing and all that chapter starts to make plans to attend the International you will be doing in the days ahead! convention in Philadelphia. It will take extra money that

How do you get a lead to sound like a baritone? What do you call a guy who hangs Have him sing louder, flatter, and miss every around with singers? third note. A baritone.

How can you tell when a baritone is out of tune? What did the baritone get on his IQ test? His lips are moving. Drool.

HX Camp (Continued from page 4) worth it. This camp introduces youth to barbershop, and it makes them really excited about it. The future of opportunity to sing two songs with Nightlife after the the society looks brighter because there are kids there show, and that was really cool. who I know will make barbershop a part of their lives. I am confident that camps like this will keep the whole Harmony Explosion gave me the opportunity to try new world singing now and into the future. If you know/ things and make new friends. I am already looking have teenagers that enjoy singing, encourage them to forward to next year. All the donations to the Harmony go next year. They will not regret it. Foundation and the scholarships for participants are

Page 6 THE BEAT August 2009 Acting and Singing

―Move, find that place, be that person, stay in the moment, emote.‖ We are constantly reminded to be involved in the message of the Duane Henry song. Although we are not actors, in essence VP MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE we are being asked to act. However, more specifically, in theater and movie parlance, it’s called ―method acting.‖ Watch a movie or your “If an actor believes that what he is doing favorite TV show, and it’s so real that you almost on the stage is real, the audience will also forget there are cameras, sound equipment, and believe what the actor is doing is real.” a beehive of activity surrounding the performance. The reason? Method acting. responding accordingly by activating your salivary In layman's terms, a method is a series of steps taken to glands. If an actor believes that what he is doing on the accomplish an objective. Method acting is a technique stage is real, the audience will also believe what the in which actors aim to produce in themselves the actor is doing is real. And creating ―real‖ life is part of thoughts and emotions of their characters in an effort to what the Method approach is all about. create lifelike performances. The ―method‖ in method acting usually refers to the practice by which actors Concentration: Without extremely developed powers draw upon their own emotions and memories in their of concentration, nothing you do will have much portrayals. Method acting has also been described as substance. ―Stage fright‖ properly should be termed ―living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.‖ ―audience fright,‖ because that's what it is. When an actor becomes aware that he is being observed by There are numerous versions of the Method, taught by ―them,‖ ―out there,‖ tension finds its way onto the different teachers. The initial approach was to recall a stage. The key word here is ―aware.‖ The actor must past experience and immerse oneself in the emotion of first become aware of being observed before the that experience so as to apply it to the scene [song] observers can cause the actor to suffer that state of self presently being undertaken. However, a different consciousness known as stage fright. So the trick is not approach is to use your imagination to get into the mind allowing oneself to become aware of the audience. For of the character and adopt the emotions the character the actor, that means concentrating on a specific would have. object. If you are concentrated fully on a specific object, it is impossible to be concentrated on the So what are the keys to successful method acting? audience. On what does the actor concentrate? Ideally, Relaxation: Relaxation is the foundation. Tension is the actor concentrates on an object that is suggested the ―occupational disease‖ of the actor. Raise an arm from the logic of the play [song]. above the head and begin exploring for tension in the The Magic If: A good starting point for creating fingers, thumb and wrist by moving the muscles in these inspiration is a concept described as the ―magic if.‖ The areas one at a time, back and forth and in circles, ―magic if‖ begins by asking, ―What would I do if I were slowly, while the mind asks the individual muscle, in these circumstances?‖ The answer to this simple ―Where is the tension?‖ When the mind has identified question allows the actor to realize the fact that he is the tension, it is simply a matter of willing the muscle to living out a fictional life, a figment of the author's let go. Special attention is given to the facial muscles, imagination. By using the ―magic if,‖ the actor is especially the brow, temples and jaw, where years of granting himself permission to believe in the same way holding back unspoken thoughts, words and emotions a young girl believes her doll is real, or a young boy have created habitual patterns of tension. believes he is really ―Tarzan‖ or that the broomstick he Sense Memory: Sense memory is the remembering by is using is really a horse. It's magic of the kind that the five senses of the impressions experienced in children possess, and few adults retain from childhood. everyday life. These impressions are stored in the Method acting takes practice just as singing requires subconscious. One can learn to recall these sensory practice. For some of us, perhaps even more practice impressions from the subconscious by concentrating on than singing. This is but a brief explanation of all that is the stimuli associated with them. If you have ever been involved in delivering a believable performance whether hungry and thought about your favorite food, chances on stage on or the risers. For further information about are your mouth ―watered.‖ This is an example of your method acting you may wish to visit the source of this senses remembering the taste of the food, and article: www.theatrgroup.com/Method/index.html. August 2009 THE BEAT Page 7 If It’s to Be, It’s Up to “We”

I was reading the President’s Page in the latest issue of ―The Harmonizer‖ where President Bill Steve Cline Biffle was reporting that the Membership Growth VP CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT Task Force had been formed and charged to create an overall strategy to bring sustained growth for our Society. They will not be recruiting “...getting new members must be job one new members for the Society, but will seek to for each of us…” discover the changes necessary to save barbershopping for future generations. The task force can’t reverse our membership decline. It can Number three is that we also have in place a fund to determine society issues, ferret out the barriers to help hardship cases with the expense of becoming a membership growth, and determine an overall strategy member, so don’t hesitate to invite all singers you know for membership growth. WE, you and me, are charged to experience the wonderful hobby we are trying to with getting new members. It must, in fact, be job one preserve. There has never been a greater need for all of for each of us. us to rise to this challenge!

We, as a chapter, have been working on making it Think you don’t know any singers to invite or you’re not easier for us to attract new members. Number one is the ―recruiter type‖? You can still help. Be a generator of that the increased level of our singing has gone a long positive energy at every meeting. Smile and say ―Hi‖ to way, with the recent influx of guests we have been every man you encounter. Shake a few hands; ask them experiencing lately, in making them want to come back. how their week is going. Create an atmosphere of family, warmth, fraternity, and friendliness at every Number two is that if you know any young high school meeting every week. Brighten the corner where you are, or college singers who you have been reluctant to invite and watch what happens! Everyone wants to be noticed, because of the dues structure, well, have no fear. A recognized and appreciated. We all need positive student member can join the Society for only $10.00 the strokes. So, you be the guy that starts this in our first year. The Society dues, district dues and the chapter. chapter dues have been waived for the first year. And speaking of dues, remember that the chapter picks up Keep smiling, keep singing, keep believing, and keep half of the first year’s dues on all regular members. selling this wonderful hobby to others.

Circle City Sound enjoyed sharing the risers with 12 guests in the month of July: July Guests and Edric Mitchell (guest of Bill Chisler), Steven Harris (guest of Bill Chisler), Greg Emmanuel (guest of Dan Grant), Tyler Baker (guest of Dan Grant), John LaPrees New Members (guest of Randy Freeman), Alec Whitacre (guest of Bob Whitacre), Bill Davis, Andrew Ringham, Leonardo Richardson, Adam Winings, Bob Kendall, and former member Lucas Snyder.

We are glad to welcome Dave Hawkins as the newest member of Circle City Sound.

August Birthdays

8/2 Bob Brown 8/13 Bob Boehmer 8/21 Dan Grant 8/3 Steve Grimes 8/13 Duane Henry 8/28 Pat Stevens 8/5 Jim Pyle 8/13 Harry Roembke 8/31 Bill Campbell 8/7 Larry Tolle 8/18 John Weiss 8/12 Coy Hutcherson 8/19 Gene Schwilke

Page 8 THE BEAT August 2009

movement of product model data world-wide, which allowed him to travel to many parts of the world to work The Sound Corner with auto manufacturers like Honda, Fiat and BMW, as by Brad McAlexander well as Ford and Chrysler here in the U.S. He also helped build artificial intelligence programs. Bob really enjoyed his career, because he liked what he did and he loved traveling to all the places around the world while Thirty-five years ago in Kokomo, working. Indiana, Bob Whitacre was applying for a home loan at his Kokomo has remained Bob’s barbershop home base, but bank. The bank officer he was his current stint with CCS is his second in Indianapolis. working with was a friend whom In the 1980s, he made the trek here to sing with the he had sung with in their high likes of Dave Galbraith, Tom Bohannon, Bill Book, school choir. This friend, Tom and Jerry McPhee, among others. Over the years Bob Gillum, told Bob that since he has sung in many quartets, many taking backseats to now had a good job and a new home, he needed a notables such as The Citations and Bluegrass hobby. Tom asked him if he still sang, and Bob replied Student Union. that he did, in his church choir. Tom then invited him to visit the Kokomo Men of Note. When Bob showed up For many years in Kokomo, Bob hosted the chapter’s at rehearsal, Tom was blown away by Bob’s bass voice afterglows because he had a large barn on his property because Bob had been a high tenor in high school! that was perfect for barbershop functions. Bob was lucky enough to sing with many big name quartets like Bob’s bass voice was put to good use very quickly after Gentlemen‟s Agreement and The . As a he joined the Men of Note. Besides the singing he was matter of fact, Bob even got to sing on stage with The doing with the chapter, at his first district convention, Innsiders during their sound check because the bass about four months after joining the Society, he and was setting the levels for the quartet’s own system. three others were sitting in the audience in Evansville waiting for the quartet contest to begin when Morrie Bob’s current quartet, Sycamore Road, has been doing Jennings was walking frantically around the gospel music for the last 25 years but has crossed the auditorium. Morrie was looking for something, a quartet contest stage a few times in recent years. If you ask to mike test. He saw the four guys from Kokomo, and him where the quartet’s name came from, he’ll tell you after finding out that between them all four parts were his address—he and lead Dave Hawkins live on covered, Bob and friends took the stage! So they sang Sycamore Road and bari Colin Craig lives a mile away. a couple of pole cats, because Bob didn’t have much of a repertoire yet. That was the first of many trips across Bob is really enjoying singing with CCS right now, and the quartet contest stage for him. he is getting a kick from bringing his grandson Alec too, who is quickly learning our repertoire. He relishes the Bob was born and raised in Kokomo, where he attended enthusiasm and friendliness that is so evident at our ―a little country school‖ called Northwestern High rehearsals and the great instruction we are getting from School. This was a great place for Bob, because the Garry. Having Alec with him isn’t the only family music program ruled the school, with one-quarter of the barbershop connection for Bob, though. His two sons 400-500 students singing in the choir. The music groups each have sung with him at times over the years, and would put on concerts in the gym on Sunday afternoons his daughter Shannon and granddaughter Jordan sing to raise money for the music fund. They even had early with Harmony Magic, a local Harmony, Inc. chorus morning section rehearsals so that their regular directed by Howard Foster‟s sister Janet. rehearsals would go better. Oh, and they didn’t stand in sections, but in quartets—a sign of things to come for Bob Whitacre has led an interesting life both in and out Bob. of barbershop. If you find yourself in a conversation with him and actually run out of things to talk about, ask After graduating from high school and Indiana Wesleyan him to tell you about his days in competitive tractor- University, Bob went to work for Delco Electronics, pulling or show car drag racing. Chances are, though, where he began as a draftsman. Later, he found you’ll only get to these topics if you specifically ask, because Bob has plenty of barbershop stories to tell! himself working with systems that managed the August 2009 THE BEAT Page 9

The Greater Indianapolis Chapter Board Meeting Summary, July 2009

The Greater Indianapolis Chapter Board of Directors met on Wednesday July 15, 2009, in regular session. Nine Tom Bradley of the 10 board members were present. The meeting CHAPTER SECRETARY was held at Christ Lutheran Church. The following is a brief summary of the business transacted at that meet- ing.

Secretary The board did not meet in June. The min- The CCS Board meets the third Wednesday of each utes of the May 20, 2009, meeting were accepted as month at 7:00 p.m. at Jerry Troxel’s house. written. The board is pleased to announce that Harold Mathews has been accepted for membership in the All chapter members are encouraged to attend. chapter.

Treasurer The chapter’s checking account contained a of the committed performances represent important balance of $18,722.14 at the end of June. The board sources of income for the chapter. received the Balance Sheet and the Profit & Loss Year-to -Date Comparison for June. A financial summary for the Standing Committees Annual Show: The contribution first six months of 2009 was also submitted. of patrons ($1,335) to overall advertisement sales ($4,485) was particularly significant. Chapter Development The chapter has hosted 11 guests so far in July. The board is pleased to announce Old Business The action items list was reviewed and that Dave Hawkins and Greg Emmanuel (pending audi- updated. Various alternatives for upgrading the chorus tion) have been accepted for membership in the chap- formal uniform were discussed. It is noted with appre- ter. ciation that Dave Fouts will again serve as chairman of the Christmas show. Music and Performance Greg Lyne will be here to coach the chorus on August 7 and 8. The Music Team is New Business Jim Sauder has accepted the important pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Myer position of chairman for the 2010 Annual Show. The to the position of Assistant Chorus Director. It is ex- chairman will provide overall coordination for the efforts pected that two of the three new Christmas songs will of others involved in the various creative and logistical be introduced in July. aspects of the show.

PR and Marketing A summary listing of Committed Good of the Order The Barbershopper of the Month Performances (5), Potential Future Performances (2) for June is Dan Grant for his innovative promotion of the and other participatory events (1) was presented. Three 2009 annual show.

―Good Luck Charm.‖ This pickup quartet couldn’t re- NEWS OF OUR MEMBERS sist entertaining the crowd after the show with two more songs. Also present was former CCS member On July 9, a special 20th anniver- Jeff Braun; Jeff had appeared in a local production of sary celebration of the musical ―Forever Plaid‖ about five years ago, with CCS mem- ―Forever Plaid‖ was held ber Drew Stainbrook. throughout the U.S., and locally at the Kerasotes Theater on the Jared Gollnitz appeared on stage twice in the Inter- south side of Indianapolis. It national chorus competition, with 13th- place finisher included a showing of a film of the musical, plus a live Kentucky Vocal Union (Cardinal District) and sixth- webcast before and after the film. CCS members pre- place The Alliance (Johnny Appleseed District). sent at the local showing were Dave Coleman, Dus- tin Hall, John McQuistion, and Jerry Troxel. Dus- In Anaheim, it was announced that your editor, Jerry tin, John and Jerry were there as part of a ―quartet Troxel, was awarded third place in the International outing,‖ and ran into Dave in the lobby. Of course, Bulletin Contest for newsletters published in 2008. singing ensued, as they entertained those present with

Page 10 THE BEAT August 2009

THE SONGS WE SING: “Down by the Old Mill Stream”

―Down by the Old Mill Stream‖ is a song written Taylor's friends convinced by Tell Taylor. It was one of the most popular him not to publish the songs of the early 20th century. song, believing it was not of commercial value. Two years later, Taylor did Tell Taylor was an Ohioan by birth and died in publish it and introduced the song to the public Chicago while still a young man. His career with performances by the vaudeville quartet The started when Joe Howard, composer of ―Hello! Orpheus Comedy Four. My Baby‖ and many other songs, invited Taylor to join his stage company. Taylor became a lead- While the group sang the song at a Woolworth ing performer, and later became a partner in a store in Kansas City, the song became so popular Chicago music publishing house. From his pen with customers, they sold out all 1,000 copies of flowed numerous fine songs, but none more well its sheet music Taylor had with him. Since then known, nor more frequently sung, than ―Down by over four million copies of the song’s sheet music the Old Mill Stream.‖ have been sold, and it has become a staple for barbershop quartets. It was written in 1908 while Taylor was sitting on the banks of the Blanchard River. Reportedly, —Source: Wikipedia and The Heritage of Harmony Songbook, Burt Szabo, editor, p. 44.

Circle City Sound

 THE BEAT  www.circlecitysound.org

Jerry E. Troxel, Editor 129 Yorkshire Blvd. E Indianapolis, IN 46229

WANTED: Men who love to sing! Circle City Sound meets every Monday at 7:00 pm at Christ Lutheran Church 345 N. Kitley Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana 46219

Guests are always welcome!